Tuesday, November 12, 2013

Thanksgiving Meal, Thankful?

Welcome to the November 2013 Carnival of Natural Parenting: Feeding Your Family

This post was written for inclusion in the monthly Carnival of Natural Parenting hosted by Hobo Mama and Code Name: Mama. This month our participants have shared recipes, stories, and advice about food and eating. Please read to the end to find a list of links to the other carnival participants.

For my entire life, my dad's place has hosted Thanksgiving lunch at 2 o'clock, every year. It was kind of a pain when I was married and my in-laws also hosted Thanksgiving lunch at 2 o'clock. People are very resistant to changing those kinds of traditions. So, we were late every year to that one.

I'm not sure I've ever fully appreciated Thanksgiving. I sometimes take a dessert or deviled eggs, but its never been requested or required. This year, my dad's wife is having surgery so she isn't preparing any of the food. For the first time ever, I've been asked to bring a couple of side dishes. I didn't find this out until after I declined Thanksgiving meal help from a local organization (since I never have to worry about the holiday meals). So... I'll admit I was annoyed at first.

One-year-old Tyler with Pumpkin Piiiiie!
And do you see that Turkey Leg?!

I've opted to bring Green Bean Casserole (a favorite of mine that I've never prepared) and Deviled Eggs (a dish for which I'm well known and learned from my stepmother). I'm beginning to feel... and wonder... I think maybe I'll have a greater appreciation of the holiday since I'll be participating more. It won't be a "stop by and eat and visit" event. I'll be invested.

I don't feel very close with my family and I know this won't be a quick fix for that, but some personal investment has to be a good thing, right?

Do you host big family for Thanksgiving or go elsewhere? Or perhaps you just stay home with your own household? Are you happy with the arrangement?

Making Peace with My Picky Eater — Once upon a time, there was a boy who would try anything. And then he turned 3. Thus began the dinner chronicles at Dionna at Code Name: Mama's house.

Foodie Morphed by Motherhood — Rosemary at Rosmarinus Officinalis reflects on the changes of her family's food culture since becoming a mother, and shares a snapshot of their current food rhythm.

Introducing First Foods — Wondering what your little one should take a bite of first? That Mama Gretchen explains baby-led weaning/baby self-feeding and answers a number of questions that may come to mind!

Feeding Your Family — Coconut Oil!!! — Jennifer at Hybrid Rasta Mama is a coconut oil devotee. In this post, she shares her favorite ways to include coconut oil in her family's diet as well as why she feels it is important to do so.

Easy Homemade Crockpot Mac & Cheese — Amy W. at Me, Mothering, and Making it All Work, shakes off the blue-box blues with an easy crockpot mac-and-cheese recipe with no artificial dyes or excessive preservatives … just creamy, delicious, comfort-food goodness.

5 Ways to Use Healing Bone Broth — It's that time of year again, when unpleasant little bugs make their way into our homes. For Megan of The Boho Mama, guest posting at Natural Parents Network, homemade stock or bone broth is a natural remedy.

Extended Family Dinners — Shannon at Pineapples & Artichokes talks about sharing family dinners with housemates and why it works for her.

Geek Food: Pumpkin Pasties — While Jennifer at True Confessions of a Real Mommy and family might have food sensitivities, their geekery knows no limits. So, when faced with a desire to recreate Pumpkin Pasties from Harry Potter, they do not shy away!

Pumpkin Harvest Muffins — This summer Mama is Inspired and family grew pumpkins, and this autumn they are baking scrumptious, healthy muffins out of those pumpkins.

Reintroducing Meat to the Vegetarian Tummy — Ana at Panda & Ananaso shares some of the considerations she explored before transitioning from a vegetarian diet to reintroducing meat as a protein source and a few tips on making it an easy one.

Thanksgiving Meal, Thankful? — Jorje of Momma Jorje has never felt terribly thankful for Thanksgiving itself. Perhaps that could change if she's a little more invested?

5 comments:

My family of origin has always done the big turkey dinner, and dad is our chef. I have tried to do it all myself and *hate* it, but I'm more than happy to bring sides :) I keep intending to help dad, so I can get all of his tips (as it is, whenever I have to make turkey, I'm calling him 30 times), but when he takes over it's just so easy to let him do it all!

We've been doing Thanksgiving at my parents' house since my grandmother passed away a few years ago. It's just my mom's side of the family. I'm not sure what we're doing this year, though - I totally ruined Thanksgiving last year and some tensions are still high in the family. Either way, we have a trip scheduled, leaving at 2:30 am Friday, so we'll be low-key and resting either way.

Some investment will definitely be a good thing to slow you down and help you appreciate the day a little more. I'm sure everyone will love your dishes and be so thankful you brought them : )

I am so grateful that my husband loves to cook and that he is a wonderful cook, so he is usually right in the thick of things in my mother's kitchen. I usually make cranberry sauce from fresh cranberries since this is more akin to baking which I feel far more comfortable with when cooking for a large crowd. I'd be more inclined to bring the dessert. I sometimes worry how I will handle it when the day comes that it is our turn to host Thanksgiving dinner. I guess I'll just be grateful to have family to cook for who (hopefully) actually want to spend the day with their parents! Happy Thanksgiving!